Why is my male rabbit suddenly fighting his friend after separation?

Thanks for reaching out. Not all individuals get along, especially in confined areas. As young rabbits mature and hormone levels rise, territoriality and dominance are fought over to establish. Spaying the rabbits is necessary anyways, so now might be a good time. Keep separated for now. Good luck.

Hi Pam, Rabbits are extremely territorial. Neutering helps but it does not eliminate this behavior 100%. Also, it can take up to 35 days for the testosterone levels to go down after neutering so 2 weeks is not likely enough time before trying to bond them. Bonding two males is difficult even when both are neutered. A male and a female are an easier pair to bond (if both are fixed). This article may help you: http://www.rabbitawarenessweek.co.uk/company/introducing-rabbits-to-each-other/ Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Thanks for reaching out about Mr. Magoo. It is unusual for rabbits who are castrated to become aggressive after living together for some time. Environmental stresses can shift hierarchies and start aggressions. Adrenal tumors can produce testosterone and lead to aggression. Not all rabbits get along, forever and they might have to be separated. An examination with a veterinarian with experience in rabbit could probably help you. Good luck.

Hi there and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Usually aggression in our pets can be altered a bit by removing excess testosterone with neutering. While it is not impossible he is lonely-likely he is frustrated with the removal of his mates each time. Neutering may help with his need for female attention as well as curbing unwanted aggression due to excess testosterone. I hope this helps!

Thanks for reaching out about your rabbits. Not an uncommon response in intact females, protection of the warren. Both rabbits needed to be spayed due to the high chance of uterine cancer in rabbits. Good luck.

This unfortunately happens sometimes where their bond is broken around the time they reach sexual maturity. It is wise to keep them seperated, because the mounting seems like aggressive behavior. However, I would have a vet double-check the sex of these two. I have seen many rabbits that were mistakenly identified as females, when they were actually males. This would also explain the mating behavior. You should also consider having them spayed/neutered at this age. I prefer to do this surgery around this age and it's quite safe when in an experienced surgeons hands. They will often cease the aggressive/mounting behavior after this procedure is done; and it saves from having a litter of unwanted bunnies...which is a big problem. I hope that helps and you can get this problem sorted soon.

Hi Kian! You have some great questions. Even when keeping just one rabbit, I don't recommend leaving a buck unneutered. When male rabbits become sexually mature, they can act aggressively. The hormones can trigger territorial and dominance aggression. The most common signs of sexual maturity in a male include circling you, mounting you, or trying to bite you. Unneutered males can also frequently spray urine. I do urge you to have Fluffy neutered before four months of age. I hope this helps!